Buses and trains back to full capacity

PUBLIC transport will be running at full capacity from next week as the pandemic restrictions continue to be lifted, it was confirmed yesterday.

- PAT FLANAGAN

But Transport Minister Eamon Ryan added masks will still need to be worn.

The move coincides with the return of schools and colleges and the possible scaling down of home working.

Speaking on RTE Mr Ryan also said Confirmations and Communions would return next month.

Restrictions on the number of people attending live entertainment would also be unwound through September into October.

Mr Ryan said with case numbers still high, personal responsibility is vital.

He added: “We’re also bringing back schools, bringing back colleges, and also a return to offices. We can expect them and to prepare and provide for that we need public transport.

“We are unwinding restrictions stage by stage, bringing sectors back to life, and doing it in a way so it doesn’t reverse, so we’ll really maintain the approach that has worked.

“I think September will be a kind of an interregnum period. We can police ourselves now without having to have overly strict structures as we unwind.